Cycling issues

S

Sums24

Member
I just recently upgraded my tank to a 120 gl. I started with base rock and aragonite sand. Nothing live. I choose to start the cycle with shrimp. It has been four weeks and my ammonia has never rose over .50 ppm. It's just staying around there. Also throughout this time I have no nitrites and nitrates. There are a a lot of brown spot showing up on the rock. Does anyone know if I'm doing something wrong? I thought I would get a ammonia spike higher. And it doesn't seem to be dropping or rising. I'm running my light for about 4 hours a day and I also have two mp40s going. Any info would be much appreciated. Thanks, Jason
 
For that volume of water you just probably needed more shrimp decaying then you initially added. I try to put in enough decaying stuff whether it is dead shrimp, food or straight ammonia to get levels up to 2 ppm. Sometimes it takes a few days of adding decaying things to reach those levels. For this reason, I prefer using straight ammonia since it's the fastest and least smelly and messy option. It's also easier to reach the levels of ammonia that you want. Just keep adding it until you get the desired result. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24530

As Gary mentioned, you could try some Dr. Tim's, http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18986
I've tried this before. The first time it worked like a charm, the second not so well, and it's not cheap, but an option that you may want to consider if you are in a hurry.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. I was out of town so I couldn't respond as quick. I did multiple doses of shrimp to make sure there was enough "food" for the bacteria. I think I'll try ammonia next. If this doesn't work I'll try some dr tims. Thanks again.
 
I just cycled a 90G that was "dead" like yours. I used 3 big fat raw cocktail shrimp and hit 2ppm of ammonia in about 2.5 weeks. I'd also suggest adding some Dr. Tim's "One and Only" but not until you hit 2ppm.
 
it has been cycling for 3 month or so. It has cycled now. I tested everyday and never seen a big ammonia spike or nitrite spike. Right now im having a hair algae outbreak. I'm waiting for that to die down a little before I move all my corals and livestock. I did put in a clownfish and a damsel a couple weeks ago to keep food going for the bacteria. They are doing great. My last tank that I set up never really had hair algae during the cycle. It was mostly diatoms I''m guessing it will go away over time with nutrient level staying low. Any other advice on the hair algae would be great.

Thanks,

Jason
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top